I have been taking photos for families for over ten years. Every family is different but there are some key points to family photos that are true for everyone!
Our generation’s childhood was documented by disposable cameras and trips to the mall for family photos. You can probably think of where you have wallet-sized photos and 4X6 prints sitting in a box in your closet or basement. Today, we have thousands of images of documenting every aspect of our lives with convenience of cellphones. So why have professional family photos taken?
Why Do Family Photos?
There is a one very striking reason to take professional family photos. Of all of those thousands of photos on your phone and computer, how many of those photos are of your children AND you? (Selfies do not count.) The truth is that most of the photos of our families have one person missing – Mom.
It is normal for moms to be the family photographer, but that means there aren’t many pictures of the family altogether. Taking formal photos is a chance to let a professional do all of the work and capture that moment in your family’s journey. Today, we can save the digital photo and print it as much as we want.
Another big reason to take family photos is that studies have shown that children who grow up surrounded by images of their family, have a stronger sense of belonging and self-confidence. You can decorate your home with professional photos and know that it is having a positive influence on your children.
Purpose of Photos
Think about what are you going to be using these photos for. If you are going to be hanging these photos on your wall, you may not want them to be so seasonal. If your photos are for Christmas cards, avoid wearing colors that clash with red and green.
Choosing A Photographer
When choosing a photographer, look at their work on their website or social media to see if their style matches what you want for your family photos.
Most photographers organize their photo sessions by how long they are and how many edited digital photos you receive. They will also give you an idea of when you should receive your photos after your session – usually within a week. Images are delivered in an online gallery where you can view and download your images. Upon choosing a photographer, they may require a deposit to hold your photo session reservation. If there are particular photos that you are looking for, let them know!
What You Are Paying The Photographer For
The cost of having a professional photographer taking your photos can seem like a lot but those fees cover more than just their time taking your family photos. After taking photos, a photographer’s work is just beginning. They now have tens or hundreds of images to sort through and perfect with editing. The session fees pay for the photographer’s time to edit the photos, the software to edit the photos with, the purchase and maintenance of cameras and lenses, the service to deliver your photos online and more.
Mini Sessions
You can check to see if the photographer is offering mini sessions. Mini sessions are great for families with small children, because they are short. Small children can be on their A-Game for the first five minutes and then they start to get tired. So I work to make the most of those first five minutes by getting the “essential” photos. After that, it’s all bonus.
A mini session is typically 15 minutes with 5-20 edited photos. The photographer may offer more photos for added purchase. These mini sessions are less expensive than their normal photo session rate. The photographer will have a date, time and location that you can sign up for with a mini session.
What To Wear
Once you have your session booked, give some thought into what everyone will wear. Coordinating outfits goes a long way in a creating a cohesive look. For spring and summer, consider pastels and brights like pink, sky blue or mustard yellow. For fall, think of muted natural colors like purple and rust orange. For Christmas card photos, avoid colors that clash with red and green. Neutral colors, like white, gray and browns, work in any season.
As a starting place, think of what you would like to wear. I always suggest a long dress with a solid color that has sleeves – no tank tops or spaghetti straps. In the fall and winter, consider a sweater with tall boots over jeans or pants. Adding layers also makes your wardrobe more dynamic for photos. Overall, find something that you feel good about wearing.
If your family photos will include Dad and several children, have your husband wear a button-down shirt, polo or sweater that compliments what you are wearing, but is a different color or a neutral. Then dress the children in one or the other of the same shades of colors. Some colors are really difficult to do this well with – like maroon.
Preparing For Photos
Talk to your kids about what you are going to be doing beforehand. You can also practice smiling in the mirror together and show them what a good face to make for photos look like and how a silly face is not a good face for photos. You might want to practice your gentle smile in the mirror yourself.
Before your photo session, give the kids a low-sugar, high-protein snack. Kids running on an empty stomach tend to less cooperative. Completely wipe their hands and faces before getting dressed.
Give yourself a buffer to get everyone ready, in the car and drive to your photo session location. Better to be a little early and check out the location than running late and stressed.
During Photo Sessions
When I meet a family for photos, I try to introduce myself and make a connection with the children. While taking photos, the photographer is the person in the best place to give direction. Let the photographer talk children into what they want them to do and relax. Having three adults repeating each other will stress everyone out. Pinterest has sent expectations for family photos into the stratosphere. Take that pressure off of your family and give everyone some grace.
Know that your child may be uncomfortable or even alarmed at having their photo taken. During a photo session, a stranger is very focused on them, looking at them through the camera. They may not like being in that position and react in a way that you aren’t expecting.
Children may also feel pressure to “perform” with the family. This can overwhelm some children, which comes out in different ways like melting down or doing the opposite of what is asked of them.
In these situations, I try to put kids at ease by showing them the camera and photos taken so they can see how they are involved and know that this stranger isn’t so strange. I also try to switch from smiling at the camera to talking to each other or having some tickle-fights which can make for some great candid pictures and take that pressure off of children.
What’s Important
At the end of the day, what’s important is that you and your family look like you and your family in your photos. It can be unnerving to see yourself in photos. As moms, we are not in front of the camera much. When we are in pictures, it’s easy to nitpick about crow’s feet or how our tummy looks.
Just know that when your children have these photos to look back on, they aren’t going to see any of that. They are going to see the mother that they know and love. They will be thankful that you took the time to give them the gift that they will someday treasure – pictures of your family together.
And if you do love your photos, please tell the photographer! Send them an email, offer to write an online review and share with your friends.
Jackie Rutan has been a photographer for over ten years and moved her family and business from San Francisco to Rochester two years ago. She offers photography services for weddings, engagements, families and seniors. You can view her work here.
